Munkustrap was the first to come in, smiling.
"Good to see you're awake," Munkustrap smiled warmly at Coricopat. Cori just looked at his sister, his ears pressed back slightly.
'I trust him, Cori…I don't know why, but I trust him,' Tantomile quickly reassured him. Cori gave a slow blink and looked back at Munkustrap, his ears lifting. Munkustrap smiled as he sat down in front of them.
"How are you?" Munkustrap asked them. Cori looked at Tantomile once more.
"We're okay," Tantomile said. "Thank you for taking care of us,"
"No problem at all," Munkustrap smiled. Tantomile looked back at Cori, who was placing aside his empty bowl. Jenny smiled largely and took the bowl.
"Good, you're eating, good boy," Jenny smiled as she walked back into the other part of the den.
"You two ready?"
"For what?"
"To be introduced to the tribe?" Munkustrap smiled. "Don't worry, they won't bite…and if you get uncomfortable, I'll bring you back," Tantomile looked at Coricopat, who looked back at her.
"It'll be good for you two, dears," Jenny told them reassuringly from behind them. Cori gave a small shiver, looking at Tantomile. Tantomile just gave a nod. Munkustrap offered his paws to Tantomile. Tantomile eyed them before she took them and Munkustrap helped her up before turning to Cori, holding out a paw. Cori eyed it skeptically, not trusting Toms…why should he, after what they had done to him in the past?
"I'm not going to hurt you, Cori," Munkustrap smiled. Cori sighed and took Munkustrap's paw, being pulled up from the floor. Munkustrap rested a paw on Cori's shoulder and a paw on Tantomile's. Cori stiffened slightly.
"Relax, it's okay…you won't be hurt here," Munkustrap told Cori softly, he was sad to see how Cori was reacting. Munkustrap led them out of the den and into the yard. Other cats stopped walking around to look at them. Cori tried to shy away but Munkustrap gave him a reassuring murmur.
T-Tants, I-I can't do this,
'It'll be okay, Cori…we need to seem normal, please, Cori, I don't want to go just yet, not back onto the streets, not running for our lives and watching you get hurt,' Tantomile sent back. Cori looked at her, his eyes filled with fear but he gave a nod. Tantomile gave him a small smile. Cori looked at Munkustrap, who smiled reassuringly at him.
"You'll be fine, Cori, trust me…none of them bite," Munkustrap laughed. The cats had started moving forward. Munkustrap walked Cori and Tantomile to the tyre, standing in between them.
"Jellicles!" Munkustrap called. The Jellicle tribe all went up to him, staring at him and the twins, talking softly to one another as they stared at Cori and Tantomile. Cori was looking away, towards Munkustrap's feet. Munkustrap looked at him and gave a small smile, placing his paw on Cori's back and giving it a small rub. A small purr broke free of Cori's control.
"You don't need to be scared, they won't come any closer unless you want them too," Munkustrap told Cori softly. Cori gave a nod, still looking at Munkustrap's feet. Munkustrap gave a smile and turned to address the Jellicles once more.
"Jellicles, this is Coricopat and Tantomile," Munkustrap called out. "They're going to be staying with us for a while…maybe for good, depending on what Old Deuteronomy says and what their choice is," Tantomile's ear flicked at that.
They could stay for good?
"They're a little unsure of everyone at the moment, so please be patient and thoughtful around them, please," Munkustrap turned to Coricopat and Tantomile.
"I'm sorry to have spoken about you as though you weren't here…it was just easier so they could understand," Munkustrap apologized. Tantomile nodded, reaching over and taking her brother's paw. He was shaking.
"It's okay, Munkustrap, and thank you," Tantomile said quietly. Munkustrap gave a smile and turned to Coricopat, who was staring around at the different Jellicles, a little taken aback.
"They won't hurt you, they're a pretty good bunch of cats," Munkustrap laughed softly, looking at the Jellicle cats fondly.
"They are your family?"
"No, not all of them…just that big egomaniac with the mane," Munkustrap laughed. "My father will be along within a few days, he usually stops by every couple of days," Munkustrap smiled. Tantomile nodded, she wrapped her arms around Coricopat when she saw him shaking even more.
"I'll take you back to Jenny," Munkustrap said gently, seeing how scared Cori looked. Cori gave a nod, moving closer to Munkustrap. Munkustrap put his paw on Cori's shoulder.
"Tantomile?"
"I-I'm going to stay here for a bit," Tantomile said, looking around. Munkustrap gave a smile and a nod before he led Cori back to the infirmary. Tantomile sat on the tyre, looking around at the Jellicles.
"Um…hi," Tantomile looked around. Her eyes landed on a scarlet red Queen.
"I'm Bombalurina," The red Queen tried.
"I'm Tantomile," Bomba smiled.
"Do you mind if I sit?" Tantomile looked at her.
"It's okay," Tantomile said slowly. Bomba smiled again and sat beside her.
"So, is Cori your brother?"
"He's my younger twin," Tantomile said, unsure. Bombalurina nodded.
"He seemed a little scared, sorry," Bombalurina added quickly. "I didn't mean to offend you, I just…I just don't know what to say exactly," Tantomile gave a small smile.
"It's okay," Tantomile said. "Cori's…Cori hasn't done well with other cats…literally every cat we've met has hurt him in some way before,"
"Oh dear," Bomba murmured. "Poor guy," Tantomile sighed, clasping her paws tightly together in her lap.
"You've always looked out for him?" Bomba questioned. Tantomile gave a nod.
"Always have…always will," Tantomile murmured.
"That's very cute," Bombalurina smiled largely. Tantomile looked at Bomba as she gave a sigh.
"I wish I had a little brother I could take care of,"
"Seriously?"
"Yes, you and Cori are very cute!" Bomba told her. Tantomile gave a small smile.
"I hope your brother can get over his fear and come hang out with us, we're a really nice bunch of cats," Bombalurina told Tantomile softly. Tantomile smiled.
"Thanks, Bombalurina,"
"Call me Bomba, darl, it's easier," Bombalurina smiled. Tantomile nodded.
"Thank you, Bomba," Bombalurina tilted her head, smiling.
"Well, hello again," Tantomile looked up, seeing Tugger.
"Hello, Tugger," Tantomile murmured. Tugger smiled at her.
"So, how are you feeling?"
"I'm not the one who is hurt, Tugger, Coricopat is," Tantomile said softly, sadly. Tugger sat on the opposite side of her.
"What happened to him, Tanto?"
"Tanto?"
"Um…yeah, sorry, it's a habit to give everyone nicknames," Tugger said slowly.
"Oh…okay then," Tantomile murmured.
"So, what happened to Coricopat, Tanto?" Tugger questioned. Tantomile stiffened.
"He was hurt," She growled softly under her breath. "A group of Toms attacked him when I went hunting,"
"Sorry, I just wanted to know…" Tugger said, trailing off. "I don't want to freak him out," Tantomile sighed heavily.
"Sorry, Tugger…I'm just…I get really defensive when it comes to Cori," Tantomile muttered.
"Oh…"
"He's my younger brother, he's all I have left," Tantomile said, her voice breaking. Tantomile was pulled into a tight hug.
"Hey, it's okay…sometimes it feels like Munkus is all I have left," Tugger murmured in her ear.
"What about your dad?"
"He's not exactly around that much, even when we were kittens," Tugger explained. "Munkus always looked after me, especially after…" Tugger suddenly broke short as Bomba gave a small noise. Tantomile stared at them, frowning.
"After what?"
"I-It's nothing," Tugger mumbled, flustered. Tantomile gave a nod, knowing that they didn't want to talk about it…like she and Cori wouldn't say a word about their mystic abilities.
"I should get back to Cori," Tantomile said, getting to her feet.
"If you ever want to talk, I'm always available,"
"Except for when she's with me!" Tugger called out after Tantomile. Tantomile gave a smile as she heard Bombalurina growl at Tugger. Tantomile walked back into the infirmary and stopped by the doorway, giving a small smile. Cori was talking to Munkustrap, though he was still a little unsure and shy. Munkustrap was talking easily to Cori, and he was patient with him as Cori stammered and stuttered over words.
"How long have you been without your parents?" Munkustrap asked Cori softly. Cori stiffened.
"I know what it's like to lose a parent, Cori…except my mother left me, Tugger and…" Munkustrap stumbled over his words. "I mean, left me and Tugger when our eyes were barely open."
"Why did she leave you?" Cori asked, looking at Munkustrap.
"She left to pursue a life of glamour…Tugger and I got in her way," Munkustrap sighed.
"Oh,"
"What about your parents, Cori?"
"They were killed," Tantomile answered, sensing Cori's unease. Munkustrap looked at her sadly.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Munkustrap said softly. "How long have you been without them?"
"Around six-seven months now," She watched as Munkustrap's eyes widened.
"You still would have been kittens," Munkustrap whispered. Cori gave a rough sob.
"It's alright, Cori," Tantomile murmured, walking into the den. Munkustrap put his paw on Cori's arm, trying to comfort him.
"I'm sorry that I brought that up…we just wanted to know if you had any other family outside of the yard," Munkustrap said sadly.
"No, we have no one but each other," Tantomile said, hugging her brother close. Cori buried his face into Tantomile's shoulder. Munkustrap sighed.
"I'm so sorry,"
"It's okay…you didn't take our parents from us," Tantomile murmured, nuzzling at Cori's ears reassuringly.
"Well, hello dears!" Jenny greeted cheerfully as she entered the den, carrying some blankets. Munkustrap jumped up to help her, taking to bowls which were balancing precariously on the pile of blankets.
"Give them to them, dear," Jenny said, exhausted. Munkustrap handed a bowl to Cori before handing one to Tantomile. They began eating their mice slowly; Cori was nestled between Tantomile's legs, leaning against his sister. Jenny hummed to herself as she set the blankets into large nests.
"There, dears, that should do until we find you a den of your own,"
"A den of our own?" Tantomile questioned. Munkustrap smiled.
"My dad will more than likely let you into the Jellicles, let you become one of us, you'll need your own den," Munkustrap explained softly.
"Wow…thank you," Tantomile said, shocked. Munkustrap smiled.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow," Munkustrap said before getting to his feet and leaving.
"Such a good boy," Jenny said fondly, watching him go.
They've accepted us already? Cori's thought was confused.
'They're not a tribe I've ever seen before, Cori,' Tantomile thought back. 'They're kind, they're happy, they're…they're just so nice,' Tantomile looked at Cori and smiled.
'I think we're safe here,'
I don't know,
'Cori, look at them, they've let us in without a second glance, they don't care that we're identical twins, in fact, some of them think it's really cool,'
Really, who said that?
'A scarlet Queen called Bombalurina, she's so nice, Cori…she said she's looking forward until you come out of the infirmary and get comfortable around them, so you can hang out with them,'
Really?
'Yes, Cori, don't sound so shocked,'
You know why I sound shocked, Tanto…we've never had anyone who ever accepted us, who ever wanted to befriend us. Tantomile sighed.
'I know…but maybe this is our new beginning, Cori…maybe we can be Jellicle cats,' Cori looked up at her and smiled. Tantomile nuzzled him. They both looked to the door when they heard voices. Jenny was talking to Bombalurina. Bomba saw them looking and smiled at them.
"That's Bomba, Cori," Tantomile murmured in his ear.
"Wow," Was all Cori could say as he looked at the curvy red Queen. Tantomile flicked his ear.
"Ow, hey!"
"Oh, you two," Jenny laughed. Tantomile and Cori looked at her. Bombalurina had gone.
"Tantomile, dear, Bombalurina is going to help you look for a den tomorrow…and she also wanted me to tell you that Old Deuteronomy, our leader, will be here in three days to meet you," Tantomile felt Cori stiffen fearfully.
"He's not scary, Cori," Jenny told Cori, seeing how he had gone rigid.
"He's very gentle," Jenny smiled.
"Hi, Mum!" Jenny looked back as her two sons entered.
"Boys, it is passed your bed time!" Jenny scolded. Her sons just grinned.
"Sorry, Mum," Tumble started,
"But Cetty was chasing after Tugger again, we had to watch," Pouncival laughed.
"The look on Tugger's face was priceless!" Tumble giggled.
"Off to bed now, both of you," Jenny said, but she was smiling. Cori and Tanto watched, mystified.
"Night, Cori, Tanto," Tumble and Pounce waved at them. The twins were taken aback.
"Night, Mum," Both Tom-kits kissed her cheek and walked into the other part of the den. Jenny smiled at the shocked looking twins.
"See?" She asked them, smiling. "You are already part of this tribe," All Cori and Tantomile could do was look at each other, shocked.
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Quaxo will be along next chapter, I promise! If you search HumanGuineapig94 in Deviantart, you'll find my account and pictures from Supanova :D and later, pictures of the Alonzo costume I'm making :D
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